It’s also a good chance to talk about what you are thinking and feeling about your breast change or diagnosis. If you have recently seen a specialist at a Breast Clinic, it is a good idea to visit your GP afterwards. That way, you can make sure you fully understand any information, tests or diagnosis that the specialist gave you. If your fibroadenoma is painful, talk to your specialist or GP or see our information sheet on Breast Soreness. You could also get information or advice from your GP or a Women’s Health Nurse at your local community health centre. If a fibroadenoma is having a negative impact on your life, it might help to share your feelings with supportive family members or friends. Some women also find that their breast change affects how they feel about themselves, their sexuality or relationships. Sometimes, however, they keep worrying about getting cancer. Most of the time women feel relieved to know that their breast change is due to a common condition that is not harmful or dangerous. It’s also common to find tests stressful and invasive. It can bring up many different feelings and worries. If you have any change in your breast that is different to your normal hormonal changes, you should have it checked by your General Practitioner (GP).įor most women, having an unusual breast change is upsetting. You should follow the recommendations for screening for breast cancer for women of your age and family history.Īll women need to be alert to any changes in their breasts that are not normal for them. Your fibroadenoma does not put you at any increased risk of breast cancer. There will be a scar where the fibroadenoma has been removed. Mostly the operation is performed with a general anaesthetic. The extent of the operation to remove a fibroadenoma depends on its size. If the fibroadenoma is continuing to grow, sometimes a specialist will suggest removing it before it gets larger, simply to lessen the amount of scarring. However, the scar resulting from surgery might also be uncomfortable or painful, so this decision needs to be considered very carefully. Sometimes a woman asks to have a fibroadenoma removed because it is very uncomfortable or painful. Some of these lumps need to be removed or have a biopsy to stop this concern. While fibroadenomas are not cancerous, it is sometimes difficult for clinicians and women to feel completely confident that a lump is not cancerous. It is safe to leave fibroadenomas where they are. Many women and their specialists decide that there is no need to remove the lump. Most fibroadenomas are left alone and not treated. whether there is a history of breast or ovarian cancer in the family.the history, shape and size of the lump.the results of a physical examination and ultrasound or mammogram.any need for further testing to confirm the diagnosis, such as, taking some cells from the lump for testing ( core biopsy), needle cytology, or surgical removal.To diagnose a breast lump as a fibroadenoma, a breast specialist will take into account: Sometimes a fibroadenoma can be difficult to distinguish from cancer therefore further testing may be required.
Up to one in six (15 per cent) of women have a fibroadenoma at some time in their life. We do know that they are quite common, especially in women aged between 15 and 25. Researchers do not know what causes fibroadenomas. Pushing or prodding at the lump can also make it tender. Often women find that their fibroadenoma gets tender in the days before their period. However, they can be uncomfortable or very sensitive to touch. Fibroadenomas do not move far within the breast. This is why some people call a fibroadenoma a ‘breast mouse’. If you push on the lump, you will probably find that it moves away from beneath your fingers. They are affected by hormones and often change size over the menstrual cycle or in pregnancy.įibroadenomas are usually rubbery and firm, but they can be difficult to feel properly. Most appear suddenly and stay the same size. Fibroadenomas are not cancerous. They range in size from smaller than a marble to as large as a golf ball.
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